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Good Housekeeping published a November decluttering checklist covering linens, winter accessories, pantry and refrigerator items, toys, decor and kitchenware. Organizers say clearing items that are expired, damaged or unused can free space before holiday hosting, but the recommendations are general guidance, not a rule that every household must follow.
Good Housekeeping has published a November decluttering checklist with 13 categories of household items professional organizers suggest reviewing before holiday hosting and winter storage. The recommendations include expired pantry goods, unused seasonal clothing, worn linens, holiday decorations and extra kitchenware; the advice is intended as a practical guide, not a requirement to discard items that remain useful.
The list focuses first on items that can take up space or be hard to use when the season changes. Organizer Bergman recommends sorting winter accessories before cold weather arrives, repairing what can be repaired and letting go of gloves or scarves that people avoid wearing. The article also advises checking dingy linens and clearing expired pantry goods before holiday cooking begins.
Other suggestions include removing belongings that have accumulated in a guest room, reviewing children’s toys ahead of potential holiday gifts, and deciding whether rarely used family china should be passed to relatives or donated. Organizer Matt Paxton suggests families consider letting go of roughly 25% to 50% of existing toys to make room for new ones. That figure is his recommendation, not a measured result or a universal standard.
The remaining categories cover seasonal and personal items: wilted fall decorations, holiday outfits that go unworn, old or unappealing condiments, festive makeup rarely used, Christmas decorations left in storage after decorating, letters and photos tied to past chapters, and excess or worn kitchen tools. The article’s organizers generally frame the task around whether an item is usable, wanted or likely to be used, rather than clearing a set amount from every home.
Making Room for Holiday Hosting
Reviewing these categories can help households identify expired food, damaged goods and unused items before kitchens, closets and guest rooms face heavier seasonal use. Removing genuinely unusable pantry and refrigerator items can free storage space, while sorting linens and kitchenware may make it easier to find what is needed for guests and meals.
The advice also offers a way to make decisions before new gifts and decorations arrive. Still, the suggested donation or disposal choices depend on an item’s condition and a household’s needs. A sentimental object, for example, may have value to its owner even if it has not been used recently.
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A Seasonal Checklist, Not a Rule
The recommendations come from a Good Housekeeping home-organizing report focused on November, when households may be preparing for colder weather and holiday gatherings. The source attributes guidance to professional organizers including Bergman, Olivia Parks of Nola Organizers, Allison Flanders of ORG NYC, Allison Flinn of Reclaim, and Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff.
The article connects the timing to practical seasonal changes: winter accessories come into regular use, holiday food requires refrigerator and pantry space, and decorations or gifts may add to household belongings. It does not report a survey, quantify how many households follow the advice, or establish that November is the best time for everyone to declutter.
“The goal should be to let go of about 25% to 50% of their existing toys to make space for the items coming in December.”
— Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
How Much Should Households Discard?
The source does not specify how long pantry or refrigerator products remain safe after opening, or give storage or food-safety instructions. Readers should check product labels and relevant food-safety guidance rather than relying on appearance alone. The report also does not define a universal threshold for keeping sentimental belongings, clothing or decorations; those choices remain personal.
It is not clear from the supplied material when the report was published, beyond its November focus. Nor does it provide evidence that following the full list produces a particular financial, health or organizational outcome.
A Room-by-Room November Review
The report suggests starting with the areas most likely to be used during the season: pantry, refrigerator, guest room, closets and kitchen. Households can check expiration information, set aside usable items for donation or repair, and decide what should be discarded based on condition and local disposal options.
After decorating, the article recommends reviewing the items that stayed in storage and considering whether they should be donated. The next steps are up to each household; Good Housekeeping does not announce a follow-up program or a formal deadline.
Key Questions
What are the 13 categories in the November checklist?
They are dingy linens, unwanted winter accessories, expired pantry items, guest-room clutter, children’s toys and games, unused family china, tired fall decor, unworn holiday outfits, old condiments, rarely used festive makeup, unused Christmas decorations, sentimental letters and photos, and extra kitchenware.
Why review pantry and refrigerator items before the holidays?
The organizers cited by Good Housekeeping say clearing expired or unwanted items can free space for seasonal ingredients, holiday meals and leftovers. Check labels and food-safety guidance when deciding whether a product is safe to keep.
Matt Paxton suggests considering a reduction of about 25% to 50% of existing toys to make room for items that may arrive in December. This is an attributed recommendation, not a required target for every family.
Should unused Christmas decorations be thrown away?
Allison Flinn recommends considering donation for decorations people chose not to use and do not expect to use again. Items that remain useful or meaningful do not have to be discarded.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
